Almost Shiftless

[vwwv]

Well, my trusty local independent mechanic has failed to correct the shift problems on my 86 Jetta n/a diesel.  I provided him with a kit which included all the bushings, shift relay with ball, etc.  but the problems remain.  The problem originally was that seemingly overnight I had difficulty finding reverse and 1st gear.  With the kit installed, the shifting is improved but now there is the problem that I do not have to depress the shifter rod to get into reverse but if I pull up on the shifter it will apparently strike the "bar" to prevent transition over far enough to slide into reverse.  He now says that it must be the ball mechanism on the base of the shifter rods that is worn and is not able to push the shifter rod upwards.   The current available motion is about 1/8th inch travel but I think I remember more travel than that before the problem arose.  He suggests replacing that ball mechanism.  My question is:  Has anyone (everyone?) experienced this and, if so, how did you correct it?  I read in my Bentley that the front exhaust has to be taken down to access this.   Would I be better off going to a transmission shop for this fix?  BTW, the kit I purchased has the shifter alignment tool.  I haven't yet found a source for the shifter rod and may end up going the salvage yard route?     Thank you for any suggestions.         Paul

[burn_your_money]

We can get the shifter ball repair kit at work.

Are all your motor mounts good?

Take the shifter boot (inside the car) off and have a look at the nylon gate when you are shifting into 1/R and also pulling up. That should tell you if it is the ball that is worn.

Where are you located?

[vwwv]

We can get the shifter ball repair kit at work.

Are all your motor mounts good?

Take the shifter boot (inside the car) off and have a look at the nylon gate when you are shifting into 1/R and also pulling up. That should tell you if it is the ball that is worn.

Where are you located?

Thanks for the response.  You have helped me before re: alternators.  I'm in north central West Virginia.  I'll look at the shifter gate but I'm not sure I know what I'm looking for?    Paul

[the caveman]

If the ball and socket are very worn, it will be hard to address anything else before replacing them. Unfortunely it is one of those jobs where that part cost nothing but the labor is lots. Part of the exhaust must be dropped and the heat shield removed. But you also said that it is hard to shift into 1st and reverse.Are you sure the clutch is releasing? try shifting when the motor is stopped. If it goes into gear then it's either the clutch adjustment or the clutch is shot.

[vwwv]

If the ball and socket are very worn, it will be hard to address anything else before replacing them. Unfortunely it is one of those jobs where that part cost nothing but the labor is lots. Part of the exhaust must be dropped and the heat shield removed. But you also said that it is hard to shift into 1st and reverse.Are you sure the clutch is releasing? try shifting when the motor is stopped. If it goes into gear then it's either the clutch adjustment or the clutch is shot.

Thank you for the response, Caveman.  Clutch appears to be okay as it can't be shifted with the clutch engaged and engine off.  I'm beginning to believe that the shifter rod ball is bad.  Ah well, I can drive it and I'm ready to put it in hibernation in the next 3 or 4 weeks.  If I don't find an easy fix beforehand, I'll worry about it next spring.  Paul

[burn_your_money]

You should add synchros to your list caveman

[vwwv]

Tyler and Caveman,

Update:  Decided that the nylon plate (?gate?) that the nylon part of the shift rod contacts was worn enough to permit the shift rod to go into the reverse position without depressing it...so I removed it by taking out the rivits holding it and wallowing out the rivit holes to permit it to drop down enough to interrupt the movement of the shifter rod and to require a depression of the shift rod to get into reverse.  Once I took it out, I saw some VW part numbers and I contacted World Impex who had the part in stock!  Very inexpensive with USPS 4 times the price of the part.  Here's the tricky part.  I don't have replacement rivits so all- thread was inserted through the rivit holes to capture a nut....then the nylon gate was re-installed over the all-thread...a nut was installed...and the all-thread cut off with a hacksaw blade.  As soon as the new part arrives I'll install it easy as pie.  Getting the console back on will be the more difficult part, I think.

[burn_your_money]

Hopefully this fixes it